OTHELLO — The East Columbia Basin Irrigation District has announced the promotion of Bobby Bischoff to deputy assistant manager of operations and maintenance. A veteran of the ECBID with 15 years of service, Bischoff previously held the role of special projects administrator.  

"I'm grateful for this opportunity and excited to take on a new role that supports the district and its landowners," Bischoff said. "I've learned a lot in my time at ECBID, and I look forward to continuing my learning and serving in an expanded capacity."

Born in Moses Lake and a graduate of Big Bend Community College, Bischoff began his journey with the ECBID as a temporary canal maintenance worker shortly after graduating high school. Over the years, he steadily ascended through the ranks, taking on roles such as ditch rider, relief rider and eventually transitioning to Othello as an assistant watermaster. His commitment and work ethic earned him the position of Othello watermaster before he ultimately served as special projects administrator, according to a statement from the district.

The new role, deputy assistant manager of operations and maintenance, has been established to allow for increased leadership within the ECBID’s operational team. In his new position, Bischoff aims to manage various projects while closely collaborating with John McCourtie, the veteran operations and maintenance assistant manager.  

Craig Simpson, the district secretary-manager, praised Bischoff's promotion as beneficial for both the ECBID and its stakeholders in a statement  

“Bobby has shown tremendous initiative and thoughtfulness, bringing a strong work ethic to the table. I have no doubt that he will thrive in this position,” Simpson wrote in a statement.  

The ECBID is the largest irrigation district in the state, authorized to irrigate about 472,000 acres of cropland. Currently, the district has around 169,000 acres developed and managed by approximately 4,500 landowners under the federal Columbia Basin Project. The ECBID works to deliver a reliable water supply critical for the local agricultural economy that produces food for both domestic and international markets, according to a statement from the district. 

“Working at ECBID has been transformative for me,” he said. "As a kid, I didn’t realize how crucial the canals are until I began working with them. They represent a vital support system for agriculture and the entire community." 

As for his specific goals in the new role, Bischoff expressed a commitment to maintaining productive relationships with landowners and ensuring the operation of the irrigation infrastructure remains efficient. His approach involves continuing to foster open communication with stakeholders and addressing the expectations set by the seasoned leadership he is succeeding. 

“Continuing the relationships that John McCourtie has built over the years will be vital in my new role,” Bischoff said. “We need to maintain the infrastructure and ensure it meets the needs of our landowners.” 

Bischoff underscored that the work at ECBID significantly impacts the local economy.  

"We deliver a sustainable water supply for all landowners, which in turn supports the crops grown here," he said.  

The challenges in Bischoff's new position are considerable, with aging infrastructure being a primary concern.  

“It’s a cliché term now, but it’s real,” he said. “The systems were built in the 1950s, and we must maintain and operate them effectively to deliver water daily during the irrigation season without interruptions." 

In addition to his operational goals, Bischoff is excited about upcoming projects at ECBID, including the EL 864 project, which aims to add another 5450 acres to the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program. Bischoff said the new canal is 7.45 miles long. The district aims for initial water delivery by April 1 and is planning an opening ceremony for this expansion.  

"We have a lot of projects on the docket, and I look forward to sharing them with everyone," Bischoff said.